Cream of the bream for Ray (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cream of the bream for Ray

IT was another dismal match scene on our rivers last weekend with matches being cancelled because of the flood state of the Avon and the Thames.

The Kennet and Avon Canal was again the place to go, with more than 150 anglers fishing the Marlborough AC Open, where most of the anglers, using this match for a practice for the forthcoming Angling Times Southern semi-final, so it ended up a very high class field.

The winner was Swindon Tribe's Ray Russell, who was pegged in the prolific Savernake Hotel section where he whipped out a cracking 54lb of bream.

Ten of the top weights came from this section, with 39lb second and a string of other good weights.

Ridgeway Fisheries, located just off the Spine Road at South Cerney, is re-opening on Saturday at 8am after a winter shutdown which has seen additional works including extra car parking.

Anti-cormorant measures have been successful and just before Christmas several anglers weighed in between 25-30lb.

At the end of January the owners stocked a further 2,000 mixed mirror and common carp in the 6-12oz range.

Day tickets remain at £5, available at the bank and club, or group bookings can be made in advance with Emma on 01793 434344.

Results

Wednesday Club results from their Bourton-on-the-Water match: 1. Alan Clark 58.5lb carp; 2. Derek Hillier 35lb; 3rd 34.5lb.

The Three Counties Junior Teams of Five was won by Daiwa Dorking with eight points. Runners up with seven points were Peatmoor.

Top individual was Danielle Freeman, guesting for Daiwa Dorking with 1lb 13oz; runner-up from the next peg with 1lb 6oz was Glen Picton of Peatmoor and in third place with 1lb 5oz was Robert Taylor of Daiwa Dorking. Ed Bryant of Peatmoor was fourth with 1lb 1oz.

Ivy House Lakes Open Match: Wednesday, February 4: 1. Elick Payne 45-4-0; 2. Simon Jones 26-12-0; 3. John Read 14-0-0. Friday Veterans: 1. Simon Jones (peg 47) 48-12-0; 2. Derek Hillier (peg 29) 29-2-0; 3. Jo Warner (peg 35) 28-8-0. Saturday, February 7: 1. Clayton Hudson (peg 11) 24-8-0; 2. Alan Pollard (peg 20) 22-8-0; 3. Simon Jones (peg 4) 20-6-0.

Wootton Bassett AC Jim Carrs Snr and inter club against Calne AC on the canal at Wootton Bassett: Team result: Wootton Bassett AC 17-15-0, Calne AC 10-3-8. Jim Carrs Trophy: 1. Terry Strange 7-1-8; 2. Kevin Strange 6-7-8; 3. S Bell 4-6-0.

DIARY DATES

Friday, February 13 and every Friday: Ivy House Lakes Veterans Open.

Saturday, February 14: Re-opening of Ridgeway Fisheries at South Cerney 8am.

Sunday, February 15: Haydon Street AS Herold Trinder Memorial plus inter club with Cloverleaf AC on the River Avon at Dodford Park. Draw 8am, fish 9am-2pm. Book in with Mick at HoFA 2 on Swindon 644748 by Friday night.

BCA match at Ivy House (new canal section), draw 9am, fish 10am-3pm. Register on Swindon 705119.

Chippenham AC Bob Taylor Memorial on the Bristol Avon, 60 peg limit. Ring Premier Angling on 01249 659210 to book.

Sunday, February 22: Raychem AC. Match at their lagoon. Draw 9am, fish 10am-3pm. Register names with Trevor on Swindon 725779.

Sunday, February 29: Wootton Bassett AC I Farr match versus Calne AC on the River Marden.

Sunday, March 14: The last day of the current river fishing season. Raychem AC Last Cast match at Greenhill Fishery, limited to 15 pegs. Draw 8am, fish 9am-2pm. Register names with Trevor on Swindon 725779.